THRIVE New England

THRIVE New England We prevent exploitation and serve those who have already been affected by commercial sexual violence.

The idea for Thrive New England began to take shape in March 2014 with a small group of passionate Mainers desiring to provide aftercare for teens who have survived the horrors of human trafficking. As we learned more about the prevalence of human trafficking throughout New England, the devastating harm to the victims, and the limited options for comprehensive, specialized care, we determined to c

reate a sustainable model for facilitating restoration. After years of research and support from many volunteers, the Thrive Restorative Care Program was developed to meet the unique needs of teen survivors of sexual exploitation. Informed by adult survivor leaders, this program is specially designed to offer a long-term, survivor-driven, strengths-based restorative path, made possible by various trauma-informed partners, including – licensed professionals and professional groups, service agencies, faith-based organizations, colleges, etc. During the research phase of Thrive’s development, the need for prevention measures to protect kids from exploitation became obvious. Teens usually have a period of time before being trafficked when they can say “no” and walk away. We knew that teens needed tools and training in order to recognize and avoid grooming, exploitation, and other dangerous situations. In the Spring of 2018, we launched our Thrive Prevention Program at Sanford High School! This program has continued to expand into different locations and youth-serving organizations each semester. Our goal is to bring this prevention program to schools, colleges, and community groups in the New England area and stop trafficking before it takes place! In early 2019, as a way of honoring and encouraging our survivor leaders, we began a program to equip adult survivors of trafficking as they transcend the trauma of their past and engage in personal growth. Thrive’s Survivor Leadership Program provides customized 1:1 coaching and support groups to provide practical guidance for building confidence and attaining goals. We are excited for you to link arms with us and join our movement!

🧀 Today’s the Day! 🧀Looking for lunch or dinner plans? Head to Cheese Louise in Portsmouth and make your meal count!Toda...
06/02/2026

🧀 Today’s the Day! 🧀

Looking for lunch or dinner plans? Head to Cheese Louise in Portsmouth and make your meal count!

Today, 10% of all sales will be donated to Thrive New England, helping provide prevention education and long-term, trauma-informed support for survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

It's a simple way to enjoy great food while investing in hope, healing, and freedom for those we serve.

Cheese Louise – 76 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH
Today! 3-7 pm

Bring your friends, family, coworkers, or stop by on your own—every purchase helps make a difference.

Thank you for supporting survivors and the work of Thrive New England. ❤️



Eat grilled cheese. Support survivors. Make an impact.Join us for a Dine to Donate fundraiser at Cheese Louise in Portsm...
06/01/2026

Eat grilled cheese. Support survivors. Make an impact.

Join us for a Dine to Donate fundraiser at Cheese Louise in Portsmouth! When you enjoy a meal, 10% of all sales will be donated to Thrive New England to help prevent sexual exploitation and support survivors on their journey toward healing, independence, and hope.

Every sandwich served helps strengthen the services, advocacy, and long-term support that survivors deserve.

Cheese Louise – 76 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH
Tuesday, June 2
3-7 pm

Bring your family, friends, and appetite—and turn lunch or dinner into an opportunity to make a difference.



05/28/2026

Substance use is one of the tools of coercive control traffickers use to influence survivors. This is one more layer added to the story of their recovery. At Thrive, we are there to support our clients in whatever manner best serves them, and sometimes that means supporting them through substance use recovery. We advocate for trauma-informed care and educate organizations on how they can beat care for someone with this type of trauma so that a survivor has the best chance for healing and independence.
Interested in getting involved? Reach out to us here or go to our website, www.thrivenewengland.org.

Healing is not only about surviving trauma—it is also about rediscovering joy.At Thrive New England, we walk alongside s...
05/22/2026

Healing is not only about surviving trauma—it is also about rediscovering joy.

At Thrive New England, we walk alongside survivors as they work toward lasting independence through trauma-informed care, restorative programming, advocacy, mentorship, leadership development, and mental health support. Along that journey, we have learned something deeply important: hope grows where joy is allowed to exist.

For many survivors, exploitation created a world shaped by fear, instability, shame, and control. Choosing joy after trauma can feel unfamiliar, even difficult. Yet moments of laughter, connection, peace, creativity, celebration, and trust become powerful reminders that healing is possible and that life can hold goodness again.

We see every day the extraordinary courage it takes for survivors to keep moving forward—to choose healing, rebuild trust, find stability, and believe in a future different from their past. The journey is not linear, and it is rarely easy. But holding onto moments of light matters.

This work also deeply impacts the teams who walk beside survivors. Supporting healing requires emotional endurance, compassion, and presence. It means carrying hard stories while continuing to believe in restoration. That is why it is so important that those doing this work are also supported, encouraged, and lifted up by their communities. Care for survivors must include care for the people standing beside them every day.

At Thrive, we intentionally hold onto the good. We celebrate small victories. We create space for laughter. We remind one another—and the survivors we serve—that joy is not something reserved for “after” healing is complete. Joy can exist during the process. In many ways, modeling hope, connection, and joy becomes part of the healing itself.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor both the resilience of survivors and the dedication of those who support them. Healing happens in community, and together, we continue choosing hope.

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that healing is not immediate—and for survivors of human trafficking, freedom i...
05/20/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that healing is not immediate—and for survivors of human trafficking, freedom is often only the beginning of recovery.

Survivors face years of rebuilding after exploitation, often carrying deep emotional trauma, chronic health issues, financial abuse, and overwhelming debt created by traffickers. Nearly 40% of survivors report being unable to access appropriate trauma-informed mental health care long after exiting exploitation.

At, we see every day that recovery requires more than crisis intervention. It requires long-term, restorative support that recognizes the connection between mental health, safety, stability, and dignity.

Healing happens through consistent care, trusted relationships, survivor leadership, trauma-informed services, and opportunities to rebuild a future free from exploitation. Survivors are not defined by what happened to them—they are resilient, valuable, and essential members of our communities.

Every purchase can make an impact.Throughout the month, Thrive New England has been selected as a beneficiary of the Bet...
05/18/2026

Every purchase can make an impact.

Throughout the month, Thrive New England has been selected as a beneficiary of the Better Blooms Program at the Hannaford location in Sanford. For every reusable “Hannaford Fight Hunger Bag” purchased at this store, $1 will directly support Thrive’s work preventing sexual exploitation and providing restorative care for survivors of trafficking and exploitation.

It’s a simple way to support local survivors while helping reduce waste in our communities.

Thank you to everyone choosing to shop with purpose and invest in long-term healing, dignity, and freedom for survivors.

05/15/2026

To thrive means to progress toward or realize a goal despite — or because of — circumstances.

For survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking, healing is not about erasing the past. It is about recognizing the strength, resilience, wisdom, and humanity that exist within every survivor.

The circumstances survivors have endured often reveal extraordinary courage, perseverance, empathy, and leadership. What the world may see as brokenness, we often witness transformed into advocacy, compassion, and purpose. Survivors carry perspectives our communities deeply need — voices that challenge injustice, create change, and help others find freedom.

At Thrive, we believe survivors are not defined by exploitation. They are integral to our communities and essential to building a more compassionate and just society.

Through restorative care, mentorship, survivor leadership, education, and long-term support, we walk alongside survivors as they move toward stability, independence, and healing.

Thriving does not mean hardship never existed.
It means beauty, dignity, and purpose can still grow through it.

The opioid crisis and human trafficking are deeply connected. For every survivor Thrive has served, substance use has be...
05/08/2026

The opioid crisis and human trafficking are deeply connected. For every survivor Thrive has served, substance use has been a factor in their exploitation and recovery. Traffickers often use opioids as a form of coercive control, and research from Polaris Project and National Center on S*xual Exploitation shows that 85% of trafficked survivors struggle with substance abuse.
One survivor previously disengaged from Thrive before she could overcome the barriers to long-term sobriety, leaving her vulnerable to re-exploitation. Through re-engagement with Thrive, she is now receiving both medical treatment and opioid recovery support while addressing the deep trauma caused by trafficking.

05/06/2026

If you were unable to attend this year’s auction, you missed a very special Thrive milestone—celebrating our first official program graduate.

While many survivors have successfully completed Thrive’s restorative care program over the years, this was the first time we were able to honor that journey with an official graduation. It was a powerful moment of reflection, celebration, and hope.


We are so proud of Olivia. She has stopped participating in risky behaviors, reached every goal she set for herself, found a job she loves, built a healthy relationship, and experienced reunification with her family.


This milestone is also because of you. Your support made the mentorship, advocacy, and restorative care that helped Olivia’s transformation possible. Thank you for helping survivors find freedom, healing, and lasting independence.

05/06/2026

Most parents never imagine the threat will come through a phone screen.
Online exploitation and sextortion are impacting children and teens in communities everywhere, often through social media, gaming platforms, and everyday apps.

These situations can happen quickly, quietly, and without adults recognizing the warning signs until significant harm has already occurred.

Join us for a community screening of the S*x Exploited docuseries, followed by a live panel discussion with professionals from different fields focused on awareness, prevention, and protecting youth online.

This event is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, church leaders, and community members who want practical insight, real conversation, and tools to help keep young people safe in today’s digital world.

📍 Milford, Massachusetts
📅 Thursday, June 11

Learn more and reserve your seat here at the link below.

Please help us spread awareness by sharing this event with others in your community.

*xtortionAwareness

Address

112 Main St
Kennebunk, ME
04043

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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